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About OCAD U

OCAD University is Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, founded in 1876. We’re a world-famous hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity. 

We’re located in downtown Toronto’s Entertainment District and right next to Queen Street West, the Art Gallery of Ontario and beautiful Grange Park. The university has twelve buildings in the heart of the city. Our campus is easily accessible by transit and surrounded by safe, walkable neighbourhoods.

OCAD U has more than 4,500 students and 17 undergraduate programs. Field placement and internship opportunities are available in almost every program. We have over 400 faculty who are practicing artists and designers in their fields.  With small class sizes and technical staff in all our shops and studios, you are more than just a number to us.

Just like any other university, we provide a supportive and fun campus life experience. Our campus includes a medical centre, library, plenty of chill-out space, food court and opportunities for intramural sports and social events.

Our Alumni

OCAD University’s alumni are driving Canada’s creative economy.

More than nine out of ten OCAD U alumni are employed, and almost the same number have been their own boss. Alumni work in everything from city planning to marketing, IT, illustration, interior design and automotive innovation. The creative skills you’ll learn here are transferable to many different kinds of careers.

LearnandCreateAnd
LearnandCreateAnd
LearnandCreateAnd
LearnandCreateAnd

Land acknowledgment

OCAD University is a creative space where students are invited to discover and explore themselves and their communities. These are spaces where we invite students to discover and explore their identities. As we provide a space to explore self and place, we also learn and recognize the history of this land. 

OCAD University is situated on the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. These are the ancestral territories of many nations, including the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee and the Huron-Wendat who are the original owners and custodians of the land. Toronto is also home to many urban First Nations, Inuit and Métis. 

If you're looking to research and learn more about the land you are on, Whose Land and Native Land are great places to begin.

Studying at OCAD U

Studio Focused

As a student here, benefit from hands-on studio  learning. You'll have access to state-of-the-art shops and  production facilities for both traditional and digital creation. Get experience while you're in the classroom. 

Academic Learning

To develop your perspective and critical thinking, you will also take courses in humanities, business and science. Through this combination of courses, you'll begin to see, make, think and do things differently.

Creative Community

At OCAD U, you'll join a creative community: our faculty are all creative professionals with rich history in their fields. Within your courses, you'll also be working independently and collaboratively alongside fellow artists and designers. 

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